Charles robert schupphaus



UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' CHARLES ROBERT SCHUPPHAUS, or ZYLONITE, MASSACHUSETTS,ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN ZYLONITE COMPANY, on NEW YORK, N.

PYROXYLINE VARNISH/ SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 410,206, dated September 3, 1889.

Application filed December 20, 1888. fierial No. 294,156. ($pecimens.)

To all 1072 0122, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES- ROBERT SCHUPPHAUS, .a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at Zylonite, in the county of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Solvents of Pyroxyline, of which the following is a specification.

In the manufacture of plastic compounds IO whose base is soluble pyroxyline, the solvent first used was commercial ethylic ether to form what is known as c01lodion.' This commercial ethylic ether in 1848 always contained I alcohol, and ethylic ether with ethylic alcohol I 5 is a perfect solvent of dinitro-cellulose; but

the cost of this solvent, owing to the tax on alcohol, limits its employment. lVood-naphtha or methylic alcohol is a very perfect solvent of dinitro-cellulose but the solvent preferred by most manufacturers is composed of camphor and alcohol in equal parts. The camphor being a solid and having high melting and boiling points,itis necessary to use some liquid to dissolve the camphor. The solution 2 5 is usually either ethylic or methylic alcohol,

or a mixture of them. These liquid solvents evaporate largely from the mass during manipulation of the rolls and the steam heat of the presses, and by subsequent curing and molding the production of the plastic compound is considerably enhanced in cost incident to the loss of weight from these causes. Notwithstanding the fact that a large number of other solvents have heretofore been pro- 3 5 posed, few, if any, have been found to give perfectly satisfactory results, and consequently ethylic and methylic alcohols continue to be used. Such being the state of the art, -I commenced investigations with a view to deteri0 mine what solvents would serve either as a substitute in whole or in part for the alcohols mentioned, Whether the same be used alone or in combination with camphor or other 255 and the latter 317 Fahrenheit. These substances, and particularly the amyliden-diethyl ether and amyliden-dim ethyl ether, possess great solvent power by reason of their high boiling-points, and may be employed for the conversion of pyroxyline to great advan- 6o tage, either separatelyor mingled together or in connection with other solvents.

It will be understood that the proportions of the ingredients to be used are determined by the nature of the ultimate product desired-i. a, whether a collodion or liquid varnish is to be prepared or a solid plastic body or mass which may be molded or worked into various forms. For pyroxyline varnishes a larger quantity of liquid solvents or solvent will be used, while a less proportion will be required for the production of a plastic body or mass.

hat I claim is- As a solvent or converting agent for the conversion of plastic compounds having pyroxyline as a base, isovaleric aldehyde or its derivatives, amyliden-dimethyl ether and amyliden-diethyl ether, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES ROBERT SCHUPPHAUS. WVitn esses:

H. SCHOMBURG, H. H. SoHiiRMANN. 

